Upshaw will be the pick

Melvin Ingram has demonstrated the athletic ability to drop into coverage. This is critical to the SOLB position. Ingram should be able to rush from the edge, drop into coverage, rush from inside at linebacker, or rush from DT in pass rush situations. Ingram has a proven sudden burst to his game, and if used correctly, he could be a good pressure player. Ingram has pass rushing moves in his game, too.

In contrast, Courtney Upshaw has to prove that he is athletic enough to drop into coverage and play in space according to Mike Lombardi. This is important, because Upshaw doesn't possess the sudden burst of quickness that Melvin Ingram demonstrates when he closes in on the ball. Also, Mike Lombardi stated that bigger offensive tackles in the SEC engulfed Upshaw, so he has some concerns about Upshaw's transition into the NFL. Upshaw doesn't look like a player that you can rush constantly, because of his skill set as a pass rusher. Upshaw is a pure power player. If he can't play in space and drop into coverage, 34 teams should be concerned about that. This is a player who really needs to workout good, so teams know where they can play him.

The only strong outside linebacker that the Cowboys should consider drafting in round 1 should be Melvin Ingram, imso. Ingram could be used in a variety of ways and be a real Joker and give you pass rush.

I've gone from hating all the D players in 1st round around 14 to loving Upshaw.

Mean, smart, nasty, leader with production and comes in with very, very easy learning curve vs. most 3-4 OLB's.

Reminds me a little of Woodley.

Me too.

Upshaw is the kind of pick that a team like Pittsburgh or New England makes, and when the guy becomes a pro bowler and Nick Perry is out of the league, everyone looks around and wonders how they missed on him.

Strong, leader, produced in college.

Passing on him for someone who has the numbers but not the intangibles is one of those draft blunders that people committ every year.

Somebody tell me where this guy plays. At 280 pounds with a 4.8 forty and lousy 3 cone, and stiff in drills, where do you put him in a 3-4? If they played a 4-3 I could see him being very effective as a LDE in a Tony Tolbert role. With the current defensive set up, I dont see where he fits, dont think he can cover either.

I've gone from hating all the D players in 1st round around 14 to loving Upshaw.

Mean, smart, nasty, leader with production and comes in with very, very easy learning curve vs. most 3-4 OLB's.

Reminds me a little of Woodley.

I agree with this. It's been said here several times that Upshaw won't be a significant upgrade from Spencer. If the two are close in talent, then take Spencer and add mean, smart, good leader, high motor, and that sounds like an upgrade. All the things that Spencer gets criticized for, it sounds like Upshaw has in spades. I'd be happy with him.

Upshaw is the kind of pick that a team like Pittsburgh or New England makes, and when the guy becomes a pro bowler and Nick Perry is out of the league, everyone looks around and wonders how they missed on him.

Strong, leader, produced in college.

Passing on him for someone who has the numbers but not the intangibles is one of those draft blunders that people committ every year.

What I also like about taking Upshaw in 1 is you can still get 2 of Jones/Brewtser, and possibly Zeitler or another decent guard prospect later.

Somebody tell me where this guy plays. At 280 pounds with a 4.8 forty and lousy 3 cone, and stiff in drills, where do you put him in a 3-4? If they played a 4-3 I could see him being very effective as a LDE in a Tony Tolbert role. With the current defensive set up, I dont see where he fits, dont think he can cover either.

Yea, the guy just doesnt fit this defense so I think the odds of us taking him at 14 or pretty low.

Somebody tell me where this guy plays. At 280 pounds with a 4.8 forty and lousy 3 cone, and stiff in drills, where do you put him in a 3-4? If they played a 4-3 I could see him being very effective as a LDE in a Tony Tolbert role. With the current defensive set up, I dont see where he fits, dont think he can cover either.

With Garrett's relationship to Saban and now he is attending 'Bama's pro day, I just see it coming.

Saban made the comment that Upshaw is the meanest football player that he has ever been around. That's quite an endorsement.

Not that I would hate the pick, I just see him as a cheaper version of Spencer. Solid player, just not a great pass rusher.

If we spend the #14 pick on something we already have just so we can save some money i'm gonna rage.
Why even tag Spencer if you're just gonna blow a 1st on a OLB anyways? that cap money could have been useful in getting us some help in FA before it was picked dry. Not to mention all the other bigger needs we have

If we spend the #14 pick on something we already have just so we can save some money i'm gonna rage.
Why even tag Spencer if you're just gonna blow a 1st on a OLB anyways? that cap money could have been useful in getting us some help in FA before it was picked dry. Not to mention all the other bigger needs we have

If we spend the #14 pick on something we already have just so we can save some money i'm gonna rage.
Why even tag Spencer if you're just gonna blow a 1st on a OLB anyways? that cap money could have been useful in getting us some help in FA before it was picked dry. Not to mention all the other bigger needs we have

This would be a stupid pick

I agree.

However that does not mean they think he is the same as Spencer. They might see him in various roles and they could see him as an upgrade to Spencer.

Again I agree with you, but what we think and what they think might be different.

I am with the opinion of the lovable Mr Winicki that i would rather go O-Line or D-Line or a different player or position as I just don't see it with Upshaw.

However If moving down, gaining extra picks, and then taking him and another good player...I think that would lessen the blow for me.

I agree that Upshaw is meaner and more of a leader than Spencer, but he's also not as good of an athlete. In fact he's not as good of an athlete as Lamar Woodley either. I just don't see how going from Spencer to Upshaw makes the team that much better, I really hope he's not the pick.